by Tammy Knox, publicity director, Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Ten horses will line up behind the starting gate on Saturday, April 28, for the 14th edition of the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational at Hoosier Park. The race is set as the ninth on the card with a first race post time of 6:45 p.m.

Shark Gesture, winner of the $610,000 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old colt pacers last fall, heads the list of entrants for the Dan Patch. With more than $760,000 in career earnings, the Cam’s Card Shark 4-year-old recently returned to the track with his last start at Balmoral Park. The race was a winning effort for trainer Erv Miller in a time of 1:50.3. Shark Gesture will be driven by Brent Holland from post eight.

Another top contender for the title is Artistic Fella, who starts from post seven. The Steve Elliott-trained 4-year-old is the only millionaire in the field. He comes into Hoosier Park off a third place finish at The Meadowlands in a time of 1:51.1. Artistic Fella will be driven by Cat Manzi.

The field, in post position order, with drivers includes: 1-Load The Dice (TBA), 2-Escape The Wind (Roger Mayotte), 3-Our Lucky Killean (Peter Wrenn), 4-Y Knot (TBA), 5-Ataboyart (Jay Cross), 6-My Boy David (Ryan Anderson), 7-Artistic Fella (Cat Manzi), 8-Shark Gesture (Brent Holland), 9-Make It Brief (Ricky Macomber, Jr.), and 10-Rebelman (Joe Essig, Jr.).

Rebelman, the local representative in the race, makes his second consecutive start in the Dan Patch. Owned and trained by Steve Brannan, Rebelman is one-for-one in 2007 and turned in the fastest qualifier ever contested at Hoosier Park last week in a time of 1:51.4. Rebelman will score from post 10 in the second tier.

Activities will begin on Dan Patch Night when gates open at 5:30 p.m. The first 1,500 fans age 18 and over will receive a commemorative Dan Patch key chain depicting last year’s winner Hop Sing. Coupons will be distributed for the key chains at the door, redeemable following the third race.

Notable:

Haynes closing in on milestone. Driver Walter Haynes, Jr. is quickly closing in on a milestone. Heading into the Wednesday, April 25 program, Haynes has 1,993 career victories with 11 wins at Hoosier Park in 2007.

Linscott Memorial. Hoosier Park will host a memorial service for longtime track photographer Jim Linscott. The service will be held Sunday, May 6 in the grandstand seating beginning at 3:00 p.m.

“Quotable”:

Driver Brent Holland on Shark Gesture heading into the 14th edition of the Dan Patch Invitational. “He (Shark Gesture) was real strong in (1) :50.3 last week. He’s kind of a big rugged horse, so I expect him to be even stronger this week. I think he’s ready to head into a big heat.”

Don’t Forget:

Live Standardbred racing continues Wednesday through Sunday. The 61-day meet runs through Saturday, June 30. First post is 6:45 p.m. Simulcasting is offered seven days a week. Doors open daily at 11:00 a.m.